[20.02.2008]: FICCO 2008 inicia en la Ciudad de México

Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón inauguró el festival, en presencia de Su Alteza Real, Reina Margrethe II de Dinamarca y Su Alteza Real, el Príncipe Consorte, Henrik... más

Mexico City, 19/02/2008 (Text & Photos: LIOWLB/Enkidu Magazine): Mexico City International Contemporary Film Festival, or FICCO (Festival Internacional de Cine Contemporáneo) for its initials in Spanish is an annual film festival in Mexico City, that since 2004 has develped into one of the most important film festivals in Latin America was formally inaugurated on Tuesday 19^th of February, 2008, by Marcelo Ebrad, head of government of Mexico City in the presence of her Royal Majesty, Queer Margrethe II of Denmark and his Royal Highness, Prince Consort, Henrik. The inauguration took place in a shopping mall in Polanco. The festival has a unique mix of documentary features, fiction, worldwide premieres, retrospectives, and global tendencies in cinema. The jury is comprised of important figures of the film industry worldwide.

Her Majesty Queen Margrethe is currently on a private visit to Mexico and during her stay she will have the opportunity to pursue her deep interest in culture, in particular cinematic culture. The queen has on several occasions demonstrated her commitment towards the cinema and during her stay in Mexico, Margrethe will have a 20 minutes meeting with selected local cineasts. Among the invited are Diego Luna, Cecilia Suárez, and the scenographer and theatre director, Fernando Fernández del Paso. 

Ficco 2008 started with the projection of the film Eastern Promises, which in Mexico for some reason has the title Promesas peligrosas (Dangerous Promises), a movie by Danish Director David Cronemberg about organized crime in Europe, with actor Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts.

In its fifth year, FICCO has developed into an enormous festival. In 2008, more than 240 films from 47 countries will be projected in more than 30 cinemas throughout the metropolitan area. The government of the Federal District and Cinemex, one of the major cinema chains in Mexico are the most important sponsor of this festival, but movies will also be projected in other venues, for instance Cineteca Nacional, Casa de Lago de la UNAM, el Claustro de Sor Juana and Museum Carrillo Gil, among several others.

Considering the impact and nature of the festival, and its importance in the cultural life of the city, an opening ceremony in a shopping mall may not be the best option. It was almost an awkward feeling to go to an event with royal presence in a shopping mall. Why did not the organisers choose a more appropriate venue for the celebration? Why not in the Cineteca, or within the 16^th century walls of University Claustro del Sor Juana (which indeed will host the closing ceremony). Probably, Cinemex preferred to have the celebration in their own space. Indeed, the opening session was less glamorous and spectacular than could be expected with such a prominent guest.